Report: Ryan Mathews played through high ankle sprain

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was limited to just 23 snaps in two postseason games because of an ankle injury.

We now know a little more about the severity of Mathews’ injury.

According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Mathews was dealing with a high ankle sprain.

The AFC’s second-leading rusher in the regular season, Mathews played just 18 snaps in San Diego’s January 5 wild-card win at Cincinnati, rushing for 52 yards on 13 carries and catching two passes for 12 yards.

In the week leading up to Sunday’s divisional playoff game at Denver, Mathews didn’t practice at all, and he played just five snaps in the loss to the Broncos, carrying the ball each time and gaining a combined 26 yards.

Mathews, 26, played in all 16 regular-season games for the first time in his pro career in 2013. He is entering the final year of his contract.

The only surprise is that it was a high ankle sprain, not that he was playing hurt. If we can keep the majority of the O line healthy, and maybe even pick up a guy or two, Matthews will go off next season.